Santa Cruz County, CA – On the evening of Thursday, January 29, 2026, a fatal traffic collision was reported at the intersection of State Route 9 and State Route 35, according to CHP Fatal.
California Highway Patrol logs indicate the incident was first reported shortly before 6:00 PM. Emergency responders, including fire personnel and law enforcement, were dispatched to the scene, and multiple requests were made for aerial and drone support to assist with locating and assessing the involved party. Cal Fire later reported that firefighters were actively working to extract an individual approximately one mile south of the Saratoga Gap Preserve.
Authorities indicated that one person was found unconscious at the scene. Air support units responded, and coordination continued between CHP, local fire departments, and sheriff’s officials throughout the evening.
By later that night, CHP requested a tow company to recover the involved vehicle for evidentiary purposes. The vehicle was ultimately transported to a tow yard, where officers confirmed they were on scene.
No additional details regarding the victim or circumstances of the collision were immediately released. The crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility.
Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
